Nursing team to train Vietnamese nurses

February 8, 1997

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has awarded funding to the Memorial University School of Nursing, to train Vietnamese nurses.

"This project is part of Memorial's ongoing efforts in international development," says Gordon Slade,director of the Office of International Co-operation.

Dr. Lan Gien is director of the Vietnam project, other team members include Purnima Sen, Dr.Maureen Laryea and Judy Blakely. The project will offer "a model of training to assist Vietnam to improve the quality of its primary health care workers in the context of the Vietnamese national health care plan. Funding for the project is valued at $1.2 million.

"It clearly responds to Vietnam's priorities in human resources development," says Dr. Gien. "At the same time, the project assists a rural training school - the Central Medical Technology School 1, in improving its ability to sustain this training program by training the trainers."

The project will also enroll two primary health care workers in the post-RN bachelor of Nursing program at Memorial.

Benefits of this project to Memorial, include increasing experience in international health among faculty and students in the School of Nursing.

"It also further develops Memorial's expertise in primary health care and this expertise will benefit local health services, especially in rural Newfoundland communities," adds Dr. Gien.

Funding for the project will be administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. It is one of 12 projects selected for funding from a total of 54 projects which were considered during the 1996 CIDA University Partnership and Development Program competition. Memorial currently operates six projects under this program, and is a partner in two others.